Before the Class 2A PIAA Championships, everyone knew that Joey Bachmann and Adam Waters from Faith Christian Academy were extremely skilled.
The heavy expectations and predicted results did not reduce the excitement when the pair made their predictions a reality.
Not even a little.
Bachmann easily won his first state championship, Waters pinned in the finals for the second year in a row, and once again the Lions took the team title at the Giant Center in Hershey, on Saturday.
“That's the mark of a champion,” Faith coach Ben Clymer said about his two champions. “Even when no one is watching, they are still working hard and finding new ways to discipline themselves. They are constantly surrounding themselves with new partners and coaches to keep improving.”
Faith had a total of nine medal-winners, matching last season’s total.
Bachmann set the tone, taking inspiration from Waters’ strategy from the previous year's finals and achieved a 5-point lead by using a headlock against Chestnut Ridge’s Dom Deputy. He maintained the lead to win 6-1.
“It feels really good,” Bachmann said. “A lot of pressure off my chest and can’t wait to do it again.”
Waters knows the feeling of defending his title as a sophomore. He achieved three technical falls on his way to the finals, where he pinned Northwestern Lehigh’s Luke Fugazzotto in the first period.
“I just wanted to score points on top,” Waters said. “I just wanted to score and win big matches and not let anyone be close to me. I don’t want anybody to be close to me. I want to be the best dude by a lot.”
Unlike last year, when all nine of the Lions won their placement bout, Faith experienced some heartache on day three this season.
Max Stein was taken down by Bishop McCort’s Melvin Miller in the final seconds of the 152-pound final, resulting in a 2-1 loss. Cael Weidemoyer (160) fell short by a point against Montgomery’s Conner Harer in the middle of Faith’s three straight finalists run.
“Last year was a celebration,” Clymer said. “We went 9-for-9 and it was just enthusiasm everywhere. Although painful, the humility and struggles that come with the sport are ultimately important defining moments for the kids. We leave here feeling really grateful, especially with teammate Owin (Brunner) battling leukemia while we get to compete in a sport.”
Weidemoyer was losing 4-1 at the beginning of the third period but scored a reversal eight seconds into it. He couldn't do much while on top and finishes his junior year with third and second-place state achievements.
“There are small victories from the entire weekend,” Weidemoyer said. “I am grateful for my wonderful life. My family is healthy. It was definitely a good weekend. I will wake up on Sunday morning and remember that wrestling is not where I find my identity.”
Mark Effendian (285) was the Lions' next-highest finisher, earning third place. Chase Hontz (145) and Jason Singer (215) finished fourth. Hontz won five consecutive matches after losing in the opening round to make it to the consolation final.
Gauge Botero (121) re-injured his ankle during a quarterfinal loss to Reynolds’ Louie Gill on Friday, and eventually did not compete in his last match, ending up in sixth place after winning gold as a sophomore.
Cody Wagner (189), the only senior on Faith’s team, secured his spot on the podium with an eighth-place finish.
